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Friday, 11 May, 2001, 10:50 GMT 11:50 UK
Which Grand Prix should go ?
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone: All systems go for a Moscow Grand Prix?
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has announced that Moscow could be the next new venue on the Grand Prix calendar.

The Russian capital could host a race as soon as 2003.

But F1 teams are reluctant to extend the season beyond its current format of 17 races.

So which Grand Prix should make way for Moscow?

HAVE YOUR SAY

Having expressed his support for plans for a $100 million circuit, Bernie Ecclestone has suggested that Moscow is the front-runner to become the latest country to host a Grand Prix.

That leaves one major problem - which circuit should be taken off the current Formula One calendar if the Moscow plans come to fruition.

With Germany and Italy staging two races, the San Marino or European Grand Prix could get the chop.

But this is likely to anger fans in these countries, especially given the ongoing success of the Schumacher brothers and Ferrari.

Another contender for the axe is the Hungarian Grand Prix, which has been dogged by financial problems in recent seasons.

But would a Moscow Grand Prix be a welcome addition - and is it likely to happen?

Have the prospective venues of China, Beirut and Dubai been overlooked?

And which GP venue is likely to be replaced?

Email us with your views.

HAVE YOUR SAY


The length of the current season really depends on the northern summer. To extend to 18 races would be easier if South Africa or Dubai were chosen as they both could fit on either side of the current calendar, weather wise. Moscow would just squeeze up the already tight northern summer calendar. My view, come to South Africa, then I can watch it live!
Cam, Zimbabwe

Although the Russian Grand Prix is a good idea, other countries which don't have a Grand Prix circuit will start building one so they can challenge to hold a Grand Prix. If any race had to go I don't know which one I'd axe but I'd think about crowd numbers and where the nearest circuits are. I think I'd probally axe the European Grand Prix as although Germany's in Europe it already has its own Grand Prix.
Sarah, Scotland


Why bother with Moscow when South Africa, Dubai, China are ready and crying for placement?
  Muyiwa Komolafe, South Africa
Why bother with Moscow when South Africa, Dubai, China are ready and crying for placement? For Formula 1 to be truly international it requires Grand Prixs in every world region, even if it means having 20 races. Moreover drop the extra German and Italian races.
Muyiwa Komolafe, South Africa

Let's not forget that France also has two Grand Prix, and that Monaco, for all its history, is an anachronism. Cramped for spectators and teams, dangerous for drivers, safety provided by crane hire! Let's try Moscow, with all it's political and criminal problems.
Mark Burford, England

Drop all the Grand Prix and end Formula 1. Does anyone still not believe it's all hype and totally contrived? Time to go and watch some genuine motor sport, not this F1 circus, it might as well be WWF.
Andy, UK

18 races a year is not unreasonable. I think that F1 has to include more venues to become a truly global sport. Obvious Grand Prixs to go are Imola and the "European" Grand Prix which if it were to be retained should be moved around each season
Martin Harris, England

I think that Moscow would make a welcome addition to the Grand Prix circuit. However, given how much drivers are paid and the amount of money involved in F1, there is no reason why the season should not be extented. Having said that, there is no reason why Italy and Germany should have two Grand Prix's each. The sensible solution would be to limit each country to one event and extend the season to around 20 events to include, as well as Moscow, places such as Africa, Dubai, and China.
Arash, UK

I think all the tracks should be investigated and the most dangerous one should be abondoned.
Catherine MacAuley, N.Ireland


By today's standards Monaco is dangerous and out of date for an F1 track
  Jim Shaw, Australia
I think Monarco should be given the flick, by today's standards it is dangerous and out of date for an F1 track. It would not pass many safety standards of today's car races and is only held there due to tradition. Lets face it, its a concrete death trap.
Jim Shaw, Australia

Bring the GP to Dubai, for two reasons, 1. there are currently no GP's in the middle east region. 2. There is plenty of money here for investment and future sponsership.
Chris, Dubai

It has to be from one of the 'pairs'. Germany has two: Hockenheim and the Nurburgring tagged as the German and European Grand Prix and Italy has two Monza and Imola. Tagged as Italian and San Marino GP's when they're both in Italy! If one has to go it should be one of them. But why teams can't extend the calendar is beyond me.
Andy C, UK

I think Imola should be for the chop, despite local support from Ferrari. Dubai has superb infrastructure and should be seriously considered.
Andy Thillainayagam, UK


The Spanish GP should go as it is probably the least attended race by spectators.
  Paul Pini, England
I think that the Spanish GP should go as it is probably the least attended race by spectators. Failing that the Hungarian as it is the most boring to watch.
Paul Pini, England

I hate to say this, but I believe the British Grand Prix should make way for Moscow. Not only is Silverstone boring as a racing circuit, but it's also notoriously diffcult to get to and almost impossible to leave: I've been there for the past two years on race day, and it's taken me over four hours to leave both times. Also, the facilities are antiquated and the mud-bath last year was quite simply a national embarassment. Formula One is right to move to new venues,
Dougie Andrews, St Andrews

Probably they could cut out the US Grand Prix. Americans for the most part do not follow F1 and this year the Fox Sports TV network dropped carrying the races on delayed broadcast. The best source of information I have is to access BBC.
John Williams, USA

Hockenheim should be axed from the calender - the Nurburing is the traditional home of racing in Germany - and that should be used as the venue for the German GP. This would free up a slot for the Russian GP.
Duncan Nimock, England


The real pity that remains is that the whole season is still far too 'Euro-centred' to be a 'world' championship.
  Steve Brereton, UK
I'm delighted that Moscow has got the green light to have the five red ones, but why ditch another circuit in its favour? What have folks got against Hungary? Sure, its a slow awkward circuit, but Monaco is just as bad! Remember, the reason for having every circuit in the calendar is they are all different, testing the cars and drivers in every way possible. I feel that 18 circuits is only a good thing - no-one started this line of questioning when Sepang was added and that is now considered one of the best circuits. The real pity that remains is that the whole season is still far too 'Euro-centred' to be a 'world' championship. We need GPs in India, South Africa, Dubai, China...
Steve Brereton, UK

The Brazilian GP should go: It is one of the least maintained tracks (remember the hoardings blowing onto the track during qualifying last year?), not to mention the poor condition of the track surface, and geographically Russia is closer to Malaysia, assuming Malaysia will be the second GP of the season for the next few years.
Paul Jones, Ireland

With China and Dubai amongst others emerging to try and make F1 completely global, it makes sense to increase the calender to 20+ events, as they have done in Cart. Otherwise, the European, Hungarian and Austrian races are the obvious targets - unless the issue of tobacco sponsorship rears its ugly head again.
Paulie Venn, U.K.

Forget the circuits, what's another GP venue when they are all so desperately dull ? Better to scrap the drivers' salaries, and then pay them £100,000 per point - then we'd see some overtaking.
Adam, UK


What about Africa?
  Ian, UK
I don't think any country should be forced to relenquish its right to a Grand Prix in favour of a new venue, simply because Ecclestone wants it that way. Mike Bailey's comment that Brazil should be replaced is crazy. Some of the worlds best ever drivers have there origins in South America. The flip side of his arguement... that South America will then not have a Grand Prix, carries little weight... what of Africa. Kyalami is rated as one of the best circuits for racing, and Africa has no slot in the Grand Prix calendar.I would like to know what went on behind the scenes to convince Ecclestone?
Ian, UK

I don't think any country should be forced to relenquish its right to a Grand Prix in favour of a new venue, simply because Ecclestone wants it that way. Mike Bailey's comment that Brazil should be replaced is crazy. Some of the worlds best ever drivers have there origins in South America. What about Africa? Kyalami is rated as one of the best circuits for racing, and Africa has no slot in the Grand Prix calendar.I would like to know what went on behind the scenes to convince Ecclestone?
Ian, UK

I feel that due to the massive wages people get paid for F1, it wouldn't be unreasonable to work a couple of extra days, I don't think the sponsor would complain about getting advertisement in 18 countries instead of 17.
Colin Holt, England

I really fail to see the point of a Moscow Grand Prix, and I don't think it will be enormously well-supported. Be that as it may, there are several Grand Prix that should be scrapped. Nürburgring has to be favourite for the chop, but the pointless US Grand Prix and the shambolic Brazilian and British Grand Prix are surely in the running.
Tim Green, England

Definitely, the Hungarian grand prix. It´s so boring... The track doesn´t allow any risky manoeuvres and the result is always predictable.
Bruno Martins, Brazil


If it wasn't for the glitz, glamour and heritage, Monaco would be the first to go because its quite often an appalling race to watch
  Chris Handley, Manchester, England
What shambles at Interlagos? I was there and it was fantastic. If we are talking shambles I think the Silverstone GP should go.
William Shallcross, UK

After this year's shambles at the Brazilian Grand Prix, I think that Interlagos should be scrapped from the calendar in favour of Moscow. However such a move would be difficult to sanction as South America would be left without a Grand Prix. It would make sense to perhaps take one of the German or Italian races off the calendar, or making the championship an eighteen race affair.
Mike Bailey, Austria

Dubai would be a welcome addition to the Grand Prix circuit. A fabulous place with a fantastic infrastructure, perfectly capable of hosting an excellent Grand Prix.
Rich,

Its got to be Hungary for the ditch. Excessive financial problems over the past few years, and what link does Hungary have with F1 in any shape or form at all? However, this may sound controversial but lets face it, if it wasn't for the glitz, glamour and heritage, Monaco would be the first to go because its quite often an appalling race to watch from a fans point of view. But F1 wouldnt be the same without it!
Chris Handley, Manchester, England


Perhaps there should be a pool of circuits with the calendar alternating every two years.
  Martin, Holland
There is no need for a circuit to be replaced. 18 races in a season is not really that much. Though as a side isue I would definately recommend moving the European Grand Prix to England, with Donington Park or a severely redeveloped Brands Hatch the obvious venues!
Nick, England

The European Grand Prix has always been a rather pointless exercise - an excuse to give a second GP to a country when there are other far more deserving contenders. I think there is less of a case for losing the San Marino race in Italy though. However I think it's unlikely that Moscow could be ready by 2003 so lets wait and see!
Camden Holt, UK

How can people see the Hungarian GP is boring and predictable when in 1997 Damon Hill overtook MS in his Arrows!!! That race was not predictable, as Villeneuve then won after Hill broke down on the final lap. I think the Euro GP should go as it is just an excuse for Germany to have two races. Just out of curiousity though, what has Moscow got to offer F1? Malaysia sponsored Stewart and Petronas is from there but, pardon my ignorance, what does Russia offer?
Rob, UK

Perhaps there should be a pool of circuits with the calendar alternating every two years. That way there'd be room for a mobile European GP for circuits like Brands,Estroril,Zandvoort etc And maybe a permanent core of annual races.
Martin, Holland

Why not adopt the same system as that other "wonderful" international event, the Eurovision song contest! Get people to vote off the most boring GP each year... "Hungary: nul points"?? We could even get Murray Walker to stand in for Terry Wogan!
Peter Martin, Belgium

European Grand Prix should go, It's just an excuse for Michael Schumacher to drive round his favourite track.
Andy Davis, UK

I think that an 18 race season should be quite manageable, so I'd rather not see any race dropped. If one must be dropped, the US Grand Prix would be my option. The people over here are only interested in NASCAR or Indy races, so why give them an F1 race?
Ewan Slater, UK (in US)

I think Hockenheim should go. It's much too long and boring. And usually causes complete chaos, as it did last year, when half the course was flooded, and half dry as a bone. Those conditions were incredibly dangerous. And it was there that a marshall was killed by a flying tyre caused by those conditions. Scrap it.
Peter, UK

I think 18 GP's is perfectly acceptable in a season - but how about if Bernie ensures that the new circuit is twice the width of every other circuit so that there are at least enough different racing lines to give us an exciting race.
Jamie Hutchins, UK

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